Electronic device and electronic device manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments relating to an electronic device including a key module are disclosed, and according to one embodiment, a portable electronic device comprises: a front glass cover defining the front surface of the electronic device; a rear cover defining the rear surface of the electronic device; a bezel surrounding a space defined by the front cover and the rear cover, the bezel being integrally formed with or separately formed from the rear cover, the bezel including a portion including an opening; a display device built in the space and including a screen area exposed through the front cover; and a plate including a plane parallel to the front cover within the space, wherein the opening penetrates from the outside of the bezel toward the space in a first direction. The electronic device comprises: a key having a size and a shape that can pass through the opening, the key being movably inserted in the opening and including a first surface facing the first direction; a support structure mounted on the plate or a portion of the bezel and including a hole through which the key passes; a dome button mounted on the support structure and arranged to face the first surface of the key and the hole so that the key can be pressed when moving in the first direction; and a waterproof structure including a flexible material. The waterproof structure may comprise: a first portion located between the first surface of the key and the dome button; and a second portion extending from the first portion and inserted between the support structure and the bezel, the second portion sealing a space between the support structure and the bezel so as to waterproof the space. Other various embodiments are also possible.

This application is a National Phase Entry of PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/KR2016/008462, which was filed on Aug. 1, 2016 andclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0144974, filed on Oct. 16, 2015, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0020036, filedon Feb. 19, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to key input devicesmounted in portable electronic devices and methods for manufacturing keyinput devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Portable terminals with new functionalities are quickly developing, andwith them flourishing, portable terminals are becoming important part ofhuman everyday life.

Smartphones or other portable terminals which are commonly used asmobile communication technology evolves are equipped with various keyson their front and rear surfaces.

With users' needs for portable terminals being diversified, keys used inportable terminals come with an anti-dust structure to suppressvibrations and a waterproof structure to prevent permeation of a fluidthereinto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

To secure waterproof and anti-dust capability, portable terminal keysare prepared with keys, springs, washers, O-rings, E-rings, and othermany parts. In particular, for O ring-based waterproof and anti-dustpurposes, additional parts, such as washers to fasten O-rings inposition, are a must. However, use of additional parts to securewaterproof capability places a significant limitation on the mountingspace of the portable terminal when all of the parts are applied to theterminal and cause problems with key protrusions due to accumulatedtolerances. Especially, it is hard to apply all of the parts to such astructure as a side key, where a washer and spring are difficult tomount.

Embodiments of the present invention provide waterproof capabilityallowing for utilization of the mounting space in the portable terminalwith key modules.

Technical Solution

According to the present invention, a portable electronic device maycomprise a front glass cover forming a front surface of the electronicdevice, a rear cover forming a rear surface of the electronic device, abezel surrounding a space formed between the front cover and the rearcover, formed integrally or separately from the rear cover, andincluding a portion having an opening, a display device embedded in thespace and including a view area exposed through the front cover, and aplate including a flat surface positioned parallel to the front cover inthe space, wherein the opening penetrates from an outside of the bezelto the space in a first direction, wherein the electronic device maycomprise a key sized and shaped to be able to pass through the openingand including a first surface movably inserted into the opening in thefirst direction and facing in the first direction, a supportingstructure mounted in a portion of the plate or the bezel and including ahole through which the key passes, a dome button mounted in thesupporting structure and disposed towards the first surface of the keyand the hole to be pressed when the key moves in the first direction,and a waterproof structure including a flexible material, and whereinthe waterproof structure may include a first portion positioned betweenthe first surface of the key and the dome button and a second portionextending from the first portion to be inserted between the supportingstructure and the bezel and seal to waterproof the space between thesupporting structure and the bezel.

According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing aportable electronic device may comprise disposing a waterproof structurehaving at least one hole in a hole formed in one surface of a supportingstructure, disposing a dome button part seated-flexible printed circuitboard in an inside receiving space of the supporting structure, seatingthe waterproof structure and the flexible printed circuit board-disposedsupporting structure in a seating part of a bezel, coupling to a mainbody through a fastening part disposed on a side surface of thesupporting structure, and inserting a key having at least one firstsurface from an outside to an inside of the main body.

Advantageous Effects

According to various embodiments of the present invention, in anelectronic device including a key module, washers, O-rings, or otherparts may be integrally formed and placed with other components,simplifying the type of product and resolving limitations in themounting space and hence leading to cost savings and slim products.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a uni-bodykey module structure may achieve key waterproof/anti-dust capabilitywith a simplified structure while preventing the side key from wiggling,along with securing a better click feeling.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a uni-bodykey module structure enables various design implementations that maymeet customers' needs by using the mounting space in the electronicdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of anelectronic device with a key module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear surface of anelectronic device with a key module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a network environment includingan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a key module-combined configurationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a direction in which a key ofa key module configuration is combined according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of a key modulebeing combined for preventing wiggling and providing waterproofcapability according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views illustrating arelationship in length between a bezel and key of an electronic deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a waterproof structure of akey module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 14 are cross-sectional views illustrating aninternal structure of a waterproof structure according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state of afirst surface of a key moving in a first direction according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined and a perspective view illustrating aconfiguration combined with a key module according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined and a perspective view illustrating aconfiguration combined with a key module according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state of afirst surface of a key moving in a first direction according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are a perspective view illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined and a perspective view illustrating aconfiguration combined with a key module according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a keymodule provided in an electronic device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 24F, 24G, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E, 25F,and 25G are views sequentially illustrating a method for manufacturing akey module provided in an electronic device according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a keymodule provided in an electronic device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 27E, 27F, 27G, 27H, 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D, 28E,28F, and 28G are views illustrating a method for manufacturing a keymodule provided in an electronic device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should beappreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to theembodiments, and all changes and/or equivalents or replacements theretoalso belong to the scope of the present disclosure. The same or similarreference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similarelements throughout the specification and the drawings.

As used herein, the terms “have,” “may have,” “include,” or “mayinclude” a feature (e.g., a number, function, operation, or a componentsuch as a part) indicate the existence of the feature and do not excludethe existence of other features.

As used herein, the terms “A or B,” “at least one of A and/or B,” or“one or more of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of Aand B. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least oneof A or B” may indicate all of (1) including at least one A, (2)including at least one B, or (3) including at least one A and at leastone B.

As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may modify variouscomponents regardless of importance and/or order and are used todistinguish a component from another without limiting the components.For example, a first user device and a second user device may indicatedifferent user devices from each other regardless of the order orimportance of the devices. For example, a first component may be denoteda second component, and vice versa without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) isreferred to as being (operatively or communicatively) “coupled with/to,”or “connected with/to” another element (e.g., a second element), it canbe coupled or connected with/to the other element directly or via athird element. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element(e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “directly coupledwith/to” or “directly connected with/to” another element (e.g., a secondelement), no other element (e.g., a third element) intervenes betweenthe element and the other element.

As used herein, the terms “configured (or set) to” may beinterchangeably used with the terms “suitable for,” “having the capacityto,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” dependingon circumstances. The term “configured (or set) to” does not essentiallymean “specifically designed in hardware to.” Rather, the term“configured to” may mean that a device can perform an operation togetherwith another device or parts. For example, the term “processorconfigured (or set) to perform A, B, and C” may mean a generic-purposeprocessor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that may perform theoperations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memorydevice or a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) forperforming the operations.

The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe someembodiments thereof, but not to limit the scope of other embodiments. Itis to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” includeplural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Theterms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich the embodiments of the present disclosure belong. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein. In some cases, the terms defined herein maybe interpreted to exclude embodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, examples of the electronic device according to embodimentsof the present disclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, atablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-bookreader, a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, aworkstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), a MP3 player, a mobile medical device, acamera, or a wearable device. According to various embodiments, thewearable device may include at least one of an accessory-type device(e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses,contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric- orclothes-integrated device (e.g., electronic clothes), a bodyattaching-type device (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a bodyimplantable device (e.g., an implantable circuit).

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may be a homeappliance. Examples of the home appliance may include at least one of atelevision, a digital video disk (DVD) player, an audio player, arefrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven,a washer, a drier, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automationcontrol panel, a security control panel, a TV box (e.g., SamsungHomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gaming console (Xbox™,PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder,or an electronic picture frame.

According to another embodiment, examples of the electronic device mayinclude at least one of various medical devices (e.g., diverse portablemedical measuring devices (a blood sugar measuring device, a heartbeatmeasuring device, or a body temperature measuring device), a magneticresource angiography (MRA) device, a magnetic resource imaging (MRI)device, a computed tomography (CT) device, an imaging device, or anultrasonic device), a navigation device, a global navigation satellitesystem (GNSS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight datarecorder (FDR), an automotive infotainment device, an sailing electronicdevice (e.g., a sailing navigation device or a gyro compass), avionics,security devices, vehicular head units, industrial or home robots,automatic teller's machines (ATMs), point of sales (POS) devices, orinternet of things (IoT) devices (e.g., a bulb, various sensors, anelectric or gas meter, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a streetlight, a toaster, fitness equipment, a hot water tank, a heater, or aboiler).

According to some embodiments, examples of the electronic device may atleast one of part of a piece of furniture or building/structure, anelectronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector,or various measurement devices (e.g., devices for measuring water,electricity, gas, or electromagnetic waves). According to variousembodiments, the electronic device may be one or a combination of theabove-listed devices. According to some embodiments, the electronicdevice may be a flexible electronic device. The electronic devicedisclosed herein is not limited to the above-listed devices, and mayinclude new electronic devices depending on the development oftechnology.

Hereinafter, electronic devices are described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, according to various embodiments. As used herein,the term “user” may denote a human or another device (e.g., anartificial intelligent electronic device) using the electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of anelectronic device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rearsurface of the electronic device. The electronic device 10 may be asmartphone or a wearable device. Constitutional parts of the electronicdevice, such as a smartphone, are described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, a touch screen 11 may be provided at the center ofthe front surface of the electronic device 10. The touch screen 11 mayoccupy most of the front surface of the electronic device 10. FIG. 1illustrates an example in which a main home screen is displayed on thetouch screen 11. The main home screen is a screen that is first to bedisplayed on the touch screen 11 when the electronic device 10 ispowered on. When the electronic device 10 has several pages of differenthome screens, the main home screen may be the first one of the homescreens. The home screen may show up on short-key icons, a main menushifting key for running applications frequently used, time, andweather. The main menu shifting key may display a menu on the touchscreen 11. On the top of the touch screen 11 may be provided a statusbar 11 d including battery recharge state, signal reception strength,and current time. A home key 11 a, a menu button 11 b, and a go-backbutton 11 c may be provided on a lower portion of the touch screen 11.

The home key 11 a may display the main home screen on the touch screen11. For example, when the home button 11 a is touched while the mainhome screen and other home screens or menu are in display on the touchscreen 11, the main home screen may show up on the touch screen 11. Whenthe home key 11 a is touched while applications are running on the touchscreen 11, the main home screen may be displayed on the touch screen 11.The home key 11 a may be used to display applications recently used or atask manager on the touch screen 11. The menu button 11 b may provide aconnection menu that may be used on the touch screen 11. The connectionmenu may include an add widget menu, a change background menu, a searchmenu, an edit menu, and a setting menu. The go-back button 11 c maydisplay the screen displayed immediately before the screen currently inexecution or may terminate the latest application used.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as mentioned abovein connection with FIG. 1, a first camera 12 a and an illuminationsensor 12 b or a proximity sensor 12 c may be included in an upper areaof the front surface of the electronic device 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a second camera 13 a, a flash 13 b or a speaker 13 cmay be included in the rear surface of the electronic device 10. Whenthe electronic device 10 is configured with a detachable battery, abattery cover may form the rear surface of the electronic device 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to various embodiments, an electronicdevice 10 is included in a network environment 100. The electronicdevice 10 may include a bus 110, a processor 120, a memory 130, aninput/output interface 150, a display 160, and a communication interface170. In some embodiments, the electronic device 10 may exclude at leastone of the components or may add another component.

The bus 110 may include a circuit for, e.g., connecting the components110 to 170 with one another and transferring communications (e.g.,control messages and/or data) between the components.

The processor 120 may include one or more of a central processing unit(CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP).The processor 120 may perform control on at least one of the othercomponents of the electronic device 10 and/or perform an operation ordata processing relating to communication.

The memory 130 may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Forexample, the memory 130 may store commands or data related to at leastone other component of the electronic device 10. According to anembodiment, the memory 130 may store software and/or a program 140. Theprogram 140 may include, e.g., a kernel 141, middleware 143, anapplication programming interface (API) 145, and/or an applicationprogram (or “application”) 147. At least a portion of the kernel 141,middleware 143, or API 145 may be denoted an operating system (OS).

For example, the kernel 141 may control or manage system resources(e.g., the bus 110, processor 120, or a memory 130) used to performoperations or functions implemented in other programs (e.g., themiddleware 143, API 145, or application program 147). The kernel 141 mayprovide an interface that allows the middleware 143, the API 145, or theapplication 147 to access the individual components of the electronicdevice 10 to control or manage the system resources.

The middleware 143 may function as a relay to allow the API 145 or theapplication 147 to communicate data with the kernel 141, for example.

Further, the middleware 143 may process one or more task requestsreceived from the application program 147 in order of priority. Forexample, the middleware 143 may assign at least one of applicationprograms 147 with priority of using system resources (e.g., the bus 110,processor 120, or memory 130) of at least one electronic device 10. Forexample, the middleware 143 may perform scheduling or load balancing onthe one or more task requests by processing the one or more taskrequests according to the priority assigned to the at least oneapplication program 147.

For example, the API 145 is an interface allowing the application 147 tocontrol functions provided from the kernel 141 or the middleware 143.For example, the API 133 may include at least one interface or function(e.g., a command) for filing control, window control, image processingor text control.

The input/output interface 150 may serve as an interface that may, e.g.,transfer commands or data input from a user or other external devices toother component(s) of the electronic device 10. Further, theinput/output interface 150 may output commands or data received fromother component(s) of the electronic device 10 to the user or the otherexternal device.

The display 160 may include, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), alight emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display, or a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, oran electronic paper display. The display 160 may display, e.g., variouscontents (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, or symbols) to the user.The display 160 may include a touchscreen and may receive, e.g., atouch, gesture, proximity or hovering input using an electronic pen or abody portion of the user.

For example, the communication interface 170 may set up communicationbetween the electronic device 10 and an external device (e.g., a firstelectronic device 102, a second electronic device 104, or a server 106).For example, the communication interface 170 may be connected with thenetwork 162 through wireless or wired communication to communicate withthe external electronic device (e.g., the second external electronicdevice 104 or server 106).

The wireless communication may use at least one of, e.g., long termevolution (LTE), long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), code divisionmultiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA),universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless broadband(WiBro), or global system for mobile communication (GSM), as a cellularcommunication protocol. Further, the wireless communication may include,e.g., short-range communication 164. The short-range communication 164may include at least one of, e.g., wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), bluetooth,near-field communication (NFC), or global navigation satellite system(GNSS). The GNSS may include at least one of, e.g., global positioningsystem (GPS), global navigation satellite system (Glonass), Beidounavigation satellite system (hereinafter, “Beidou”) or Galileo, or theEuropean global satellite-based navigation system. Hereinafter, theterms “GPS” and the “GNSS” may be interchangeably used herein. The wiredconnection may include at least one of, e.g., universal serial bus(USB), high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard(RS)-232, or plain old telephone service (POTS). The network 162 mayinclude at least one of communication networks, e.g., a computer network(e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)), Internet,or a telephone network.

The first and second external electronic devices 102 and 104 each may bea device of the same or a different type from the electronic device 10.According to an embodiment, the server 106 may include a group of one ormore servers. According to various embodiments, all or some ofoperations executed on the electronic device 10 may be executed onanother or multiple other electronic devices (e.g., the electronicdevices 102 and 104 or server 106). According to an embodiment, when theelectronic device 10 should perform some function or serviceautomatically or at a request, the electronic device 10, instead ofexecuting the function or service on its own or additionally, mayrequest another device (e.g., electronic devices 102 and 104 or server106) to perform at least some functions associated therewith. The otherelectronic device (e.g., electronic devices 102 and 104 or server 106)may execute the requested functions or additional functions and transfera result of the execution to the electronic device 10. The electronicdevice 10 may provide a requested function or service by processing thereceived result as it is or additionally. To that end, a cloudcomputing, distributed computing, or client-server computing techniquemay be used, for example.

The electronic device 10 described below may be any one of theabove-mentioned wearable device, laptop computer, net book, smartphone,tablet personal computer (PC), GalaxyTAB™, Ipad™, and wireless charger.In this embodiment, the electronic device may be the smartphone.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wirelesscharger denotes a device that wirelessly transmits and receives power ina short range to charge the electronic device.

Further, the display unit of the electronic device may be rendered tohave a minimized bezel area to enlarge the display unit, present agorgeous design, provide a flexible display unit, or implement a convexor concave display unit.

That is, a surrounding portion of the display unit may be bent allowingthe view area to be extended to the bezel and used. As the view area ofthe display unit is bent to extend up to the bezel, the view area may beused enlarged, or a separate screen in the bezel may be used, a moregorgeous look may be presented in light of design. In other words, thedisplay unit may include a first view area and a second view areaprovided at both sides of the first view area.

Further, a key module 300 applied to the electronic device 10 may be adata input device which may be formed as a key input device capable ofdata entry primarily by pressing with a finger, or a touch pad ortouchscreen. Basically, a key input device used for data entry iscomposed of an array of multiple keys. The keys include a send (SND) keywhich is a key for making a call, a cancel key, a clear (CLR) key,number keys, letter keys, an end (END) key, functional keys, and a power(PWR) key. The key input device also includes a keypad on the frontsurface of the terminal and multiple side keys that assist in thefunctions of the keypad and play a role as functional keys.

In this embodiment, although the key module 300 is described taking theside keys disclosed as an example, it is not limited thereto, butvarious key modules driven for data entry may be applied. In thisembodiment, the description here is made based on the key module 300integrally provided with waterproof functionality.

Further, in this embodiment, a case including a front cover 10 a, a rearcover 10 b, and a bezel in the electronic device 10 is described as amain body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a configuration ofthe key module 300 provided in the electronic device 10 is describedbelow in detail.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a keymodule-combined configuration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a portable electronic device (portableterminal) 10 of the present invention may include a front cover 10 a, arear cover 10 b, a bezel 2, a display device 160, and a key module 300.

The front cover 10 a may form a front surface of the electronic device10, and the rear cover 10 b may form a rear surface of the electronicdevice 10. The bezel 2 may surround at least part of a space 25 formedbetween the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b, and the bezel 2may include an opening. Various devices arranged in the configuration ofthe front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b have been described above,and no detailed description thereof is presented.

The bezel 2 may include an opening 21 for inserting at least part of thekey 310 to the inside of the space 25. A portion where a waterproofstructure may be seated, i.e., a seating part 23, may be provided in aninside surface where the bezel 2 abuts the space 25. The seating part 23may have a shape corresponding to where the waterproof structure 350 ora supporting structure 330 is seated, allowing the waterproof structure350 or supporting structure 330 to be seated and fastened.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the key module 300 may be disposed on a side surfaceof the portable electronic device 10 and may include the key 310, thesupporting structure 330, the waterproof structure 350, a dome button370, and a flexible printed circuit board 390.

The key module 300 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10 to allow for entry of data information and transferof electrical signals into the electronic device 10 to obtain a user'sdesired information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, key configurations,waterproof structures, and supporting structures of key modules 300,400, 500, and 600 are described below in detail.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a direction in which a key ofa key module configuration is combined according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a key 310 may be positioned to be shaped andsized to be movable in a space 25 between the front cover 10 a and therear cover 10 b through an opening 21 of the bezel 2.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key 310 mayinclude a key button 311 disposed on the bezel 2 and a first surface 314that is connected with the key button 311 and that is movably insertedinto the space 25 in a first direction X and faces in the firstdirection X. Steps 313 may be formed in a portion of the key button 311.

The key button 311 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10, allowing the user to easily click with theportable electronic device 10 in his hand.

The first surface 315 may be positioned perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the key button 311 and be inserted to the inside of theelectronic device 10 while moving along the direction of the insertion,i.e., the first direction X. At least one or more first surfaces 315 maybe provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there may be aplurality of first surfaces 315 that include a first surface 315disposed at the center of the key button 311 and assistant firstsurfaces (not shown) that are spaced in parallel apart from the firstsurface 315. The first surface 315 may be disposed at the center of thekey button 311 to abut the waterproof structure 350 which is describedbelow, transferring an external pressure directly to the inside of themain body. The assistant first surfaces may be placed at both sides ofthe first surface 315 with a different length from the first surface 315and may abut the waterproof structure 350 while preventing the firstsurface 315 from moving in directions other than the first direction X,aiding the first surface 315.

The steps 313 may be provided to abut between the key button 311 and thefirst surface 315, including, at least, a plurality of steps 313(a) and313(b) on the outer surface, preventing the key 310 from escaping offthe inside of the supporting structure 330 or waterproof structure 350.The steps are fastened at both sides of the key 311, preventing the key310 from moving in other directions than the first direction X and hencewiggling.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofsteps 313(a) and 313(b) configured on the outer surface of the keybutton part 311 may be provided to protrude a predetermined length alongthe lengthwise direction (second direction Y) of the key button part311. The protruding steps 313(a) and 313(b) may be stuck to sidecoupling parts 24 formed in the bezel 2, preventing the key fromescaping off. For example, since the protruding steps 313(a) and 313(b)are stuck to the side coupling parts 24 to support both sides of the key310, the key 310 may be prevented from being pushed on either side whilepopping up on the other side when pressed tilted.

The key button 311, first surface 315, and steps 313 described above maybe formed of the same or different materials. Since the key button 311is partially disposed on the outer surface of the electronic device 10,it may be formed of various materials, such as the same metal or plasticas the outer surface of the electronic device 10. The first surface 315and the steps 313 may be formed of urethane-containing material,preventing damage to the waterproof structure 350 and the internalcontacting surface of the electronic device. When formed of differentmaterials, the key button 311 and the steps 313 may be attached byinsert injection or bonding. However, the components of the key 310 arenot limited to the material described herein, and may apparently beformed of other various materials.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of a key modulebeing combined for preventing wiggling and providing waterproofcapability according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, according to the present invention, to prevent thekey 310 from wiggling, a plurality of steps 313 may be provided at bothsides of the key 310. The first step 313(a) and the second step 313(b)are provided at both sides of the first surface 315 apart from thecenter of the first surface 315, functioning to prevent the key 310 fromescaping off the bezel 2 and carrying pressure applied from the outsideto the dome button 580 without loss.

According to the prior art, only one first surface is provided at thecenter of the key. In this case, where pressure is applied through thecenter of the key button, although the first surface may deliver thewhole pressure to the dome button, it would not if pressed through anedge part away from the center of the key button. For example, if theuser presses the edge part of the key button, this may reduce the lengthat which the first surface is inserted and moved along the firstdirection, resulting in a failure to loss-free transfer pressure to thedome button. This happens due to the key button moving in such a mannerthat when the key button is pushed in the main body with one endpressed, the other opposite end comes out, like does a seesaw.

However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the key310 is implemented with the first step 313(a) and the second step 313(b)at both sides of the first surface 315 to be projected in the seconddirection Y and inserted into the side coupling parts 24. The fasteningof the first step 313(a) and the second step 313(b) to the side couplingparts 24 of the main body may prevent the key button part 311 fromescaping, a predetermined length or more, off to the outside. That is,referring to FIG. 7, even where pressure (denoted with an arrow) isapplied onto an edge, not the center of the key button 511, the lengthat which the first surface 315 is inserted and moved in the firstdirection X may be prevented from shortening, allowing for loss-freedelivery of the pressure to the dome button 370. Accordingly, althoughthe key button 311 is pressed anywhere therein, the first surface 315may apply the whole pressure to the dome button 370 without such unevenmovement.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, to give waterprooffunctionality to the key 310, the waterproof structure 350 may beprovided which is positioned abutting the first surface 315 of the key310. The waterproof structure 350 may play a role to hermetically sealthe space 25 formed between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 bfrom the outside of the electronic device 10.

A first portion 351 of the waterproof structure 350 which is formed ofan elastic material, as the key 310 operates, may be stretched in thefirst direction X, transferring the pressure from the first surface 315to the dome button 370. The dome button 370 may be provided on theflexible printed circuit board 390. The flexible printed circuit board390 may convert the pressure from the dome button 370 into an electricalsignal.

FIGS. 8 to 11 are cross-sectional views illustrating a relationship inlength between a bezel and key of an electronic device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 11, the outer surface of the main body mayinclude a curved surface with a convex surface outwards, and at leastpart of the supporting structure 330 and the key 310 may be disposedinside the convex surface-formed curved surface. According to anembodiment of the present invention, a touchscreen 11 forming the topsurface of the main body may cover, up to, a portion of the bezel 2,forming a curved surface in a flexible fashion. A rear case forming thebottom surface of the main body may be configured to cover up to aportion of the side surface while forming a curved surface. This allowsfor an increased space for the user to transfer operations to theelectronic device and monitor and an enhanced feeling of grip along witha better look.

A portion of the bezel 2 being curved may impose a limitation on thesize of the key module 300 insertable into the inside of the main body,as compared with the prior art, and put a difficulty in configuring thedevice.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG.8, the key button 311 disposed in the main body bezel 2 and projectingmay be 8 mm to 12 mm long in horizontal length L1 and 0.8 mm to 1.4 mmlong in vertical length L2.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS.9 and 10, the key 310 including the first surface 315 may be 3.5 mm to5.2 mm long in length N along the first direction X.

The distance N towards the inside of the main body, i.e., the firstdirection X, from the outer surface of the main body to the surfacewhere the inner surface of the main body abuts the supporting structure330 or waterproof structure 350 may be 3.8 mm or less.

Further, the thickness M of the inner surface or outer surface where thekey 310 is inserted in the second direction Y which is perpendicular tothe first direction X may be 3.5 mm or less, for example.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance Mtowards the inside of the main body, i.e., the first direction X, fromthe outer surface of the main body to the waterproof structure 350 maybe 3.2 mm or less.

Further, the bezel facing the curved shape of the front or rear surfaceof the main body and forming the outer surface may be 2.9 mm or lessthick in the second direction Y. Further, the thickness, along thesecond reception Y, of the bezel that may include the first surface 315inside the bezel 2 and support the main body may be 2.3 mm or less.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mounting spacewhere the key module 300 may be provided in the bezel 2 may be verynarrow due to the curved shape of the bezel 2. According to the presentinvention, the electronic device 10 is implemented so that the keymodule 300 is positioned as close to the outer surface as possibleinside the limited mounting space while providing all of theabove-described functions.

However, the numerical limitations are not limited to electronic deviceswith a curved shape, and may advantageously work for slimmer electronicdevices (refer to FIG. 11) than the conventional art.

Further, according to another embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, anadhesive material 359 may be attached onto a surface of the waterproofstructure 350 between the bezel 2 and the supporting structure 330. Theadhesive material 359 may be placed on the surface of the waterproofstructure 350, e.g., the surface positioned opposite the supportingstructure 330 and be attached with the supporting structure 330. Theadhesive material 359 may include various materials, e.g., anacrylic-based chemical-containing tape or a diversity of adhesives, toattach the waterproof structure 350 or supporting structure 330.

The use of the adhesive material 359 may prevent the waterproofstructure 350 from being pushed away that would otherwise occur andenhance the effects of compression of the waterproof structure 350,maximizing waterproof/anti-dust performance.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a waterproof structure of akey module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.13A, 13B, and 14 are cross-sectional views illustrating an internalstructure of a waterproof structure according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS.12, 13A, and 13B, the waterproof structure 350 may be disposed betweenan inner surface of the bezel 2 and a first face 331 of the supportingstructure 330 or between the inner surface of the bezel 2 and a secondface 332 of the supporting structure 330 to hermetically seal the space25 formed between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b from theoutside of the electronic device 10 (refer to FIGS. 15A and 15B).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the waterproofstructure 550 may be disposed between an inner surface of the bezel 2and a first supporting structure 531 or between the inner surface of thebezel 2 and a second supporting structure 535 to hermetically seal thespace 25 formed between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 bfrom the outside of the electronic device 10 (refer to FIG. 16).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproofstructure 350 may be inserted and disposed in a hole 334 of thesupporting structure 330 and may include a hole-shaped first portion 351formed to elastically wrap around the first surface 315 of the key 310.The waterproof structure 350 may include a second portion 353 formed towrap around the first portion 351 and disposed to abut a surface of thebezel 2 to provide waterproof and anti-dust capability.

If the first surface 315 of the key 310 is seated in the first portion351 and inserted into the inner space 25, the waterproof structure 350may elastically cover the surroundings of an end of the first surface315 to shut off permeation of a fluid or other foreign bodies into theinside of the electronic device 10. The waterproof structure 350 may beformed of an elastic material. The first portion 351, when elasticallystretched and compressed and thus the key 310 moving, may add or reducepressure onto the dome button 370. For example, the waterproof structure350 may be formed of an elastic material, e.g., rubber, waterproofstructure sponge, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG.14, the waterproof structure 350 may be configured by forming a material357 including silicone on the outer surface of the elastic material,corresponding to the shape of the elastic material, and additionallywrapping a film 359 including urethane around the silicone 357. By theabove structure, the waterproof structure 350 may have more durabilityand waterproof capability. The dual-structure (form and film) formed onthe outer surface of the waterproof structure 350 may be produced bydual injection or insert injection.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the first portion351 of the waterproof structure 350 may be stretched or compressed alongthe first direction X while elastically wrapping around the firstsurface 315, and the point where a fluid or other foreign bodies may beshut off may be configured as at least one waterproof contacting surface355 (refer to FIG. 9).

The waterproof contacting surface 355 may be formed as the secondportion 353 projecting in the first direction X where the key 310 moveselastically abuts the inside of the main body. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the first surface 315 may beinserted to the first portion 351 of the waterproof structure 350 seatedin the seating part 23 of the bezel 2, and the second portion 353 with apredetermined length, which is formed to surround the first surface 315,may overlap the inner surface of the bezel 2. Accordingly, thewaterproof structure 350 compressed may form the waterproof contactingsurface 355, cutting off permeation of, e.g., a fluid from the outside.

The second portion 353 forming the waterproof contacting surface 355 maybe configured in a closed loop, and there may be provided at least oneor more second portions 353. The plurality of second portions 353 may beconfigured in closed loops inside or outside, or other various shapeswith an opening, and may be added in various positions of the waterproofstructure 350, forming a second waterproof contacting surface or thirdwaterproof contacting surface, reinforcing the waterproof and anti-dusteffects.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of a firstsurface of a key moving in a first direction according to an embodimentof the present invention.

Of the key module configuration, the supporting structure 330 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 15.

Referring to FIG. 15, the supporting structure 330 may be positionedadjacent the opening 21 of the bezel 2 in the space 25 formed betweenthe front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b. Further, the supportingstructure 330 may include a hole 334 and a receiving space 335 capableof receiving at least part of the key 310 and a fastening part 336 thatmay be coupled to the main body (refer to FIGS. 1 and 4).

The supporting structure 330 may include a first face 331 and a secondface 332 spaced apart in parallel with each other. A supporting flatsurface 333 connects the first face 331 and the second face 332 in thespace formed between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b.

The supporting flat surface 333 may support the first face 331 and thesecond face 332 simultaneously with connecting the first face 331 andthe second face 332 to each other. Accordingly, the configuration of theoverall supporting structure 330 including the first face 331 and thesecond face 332 disposed perpendicular to the supporting flat surface333 and in parallel with each other may be disposed in a “U’ shapeopened in the first direction and the second direction different fromthe first direction.

The receiving space 335 may be formed between the first face 331 and thesecond face 332 to allow the dome button 370 and the flexible printedcircuit board 390 to be disposed therein, forming a uni-body bracketstructure where the parts may be mounted.

The first face 331 and the second face 332 may provide a pathway alongwhich the first surface 315 moves without contacting the opening 21(pathway leading to the opening).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first face 331of the supporting structure 330 may be formed with the same length asthe second face 332 and may include the hole 334 for receiving at leastpart of the first surface 315. One surface of the first face 331 may bedisposed in contact with the waterproof structure 350 disposed in theseating part 23 of the bezel 2, and the other surface of the first face331 may form one surface of the receiving space 335.

The second face 332 may be spaced apart in parallel with the first face331, functioning as a supporting member by which various parts may bemounted and supported. From the surface forming the receiving space 335of the second face 332 outwards, the flexible printed circuit board 390,the dome button 370, the waterproof structure 350, and an end of thefirst surface 315 may be stacked one over another. That is, for the endof the first surface 315 to press the dome button 370 while moving inthe first direction X, the waterproof structure 350 connected with thedome button 370 and the first surface 315 may be positioned so that theymay come in contact with each other.

At least one fastening part 336 may be disposed at both sides of thesupporting structure 330 so that the supporting structure 330 may befastened to the inside of the main body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening part336 may include a fastening hole 3361 that is a wing-shaped hole outsidethe receiving space 335 of the supporting structure 330 and a screw 3363passing through the fastening hole 3361 to fasten the main body with thesupporting structure 330. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, although two fastening holes 3361 and two screws 3363 areconfigured, they are not limited thereto. Rather, various numbers offastening holes and screws may be provided in a variety of positions tofasten the supporting structure 330 to the inside of the main body, andsuch fastening may be achieved in other various manners, e.g., by way ofbonding, other than screwing.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which thefirst surface 315 is seated in the first portion 351 of the waterproofstructure 350 before the key 310 moves, and FIG. 15B is across-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first surface 315applies pressure to the first portion 351 of the waterproof structure350 as the key 310 moves along the first direction X.

As the key 310 operates from the position shown in FIG. 15A to theposition shown in FIG. 15B, the first portion 351 of the waterproofstructure 350 which is formed of an elastic member may be stretchedalong the first direction X to deliver the pressure from the firstsurface 315 to the dome button 370.

The flexible printed circuit board 390 and the dome button 370 disposedin the receiving space 335 inside the supporting structure 330 isdescribed below.

Turning back to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the dome button 370 may be disposedbetween the first face 331 and second face 332 of the supportingstructure 330.

The dome button 370 may include an elastic material and may transferpress applied from the outside to the flexible printed circuit board390. According to an embodiment of the present invention, where the key310 is pressed from the outside in the first direction X, the firstsurface 315 may transfer the pressure to the dome button 370 whilecontacting the dome button 370, and as part of the dome button 370elastically transforms, it may deliver the pressure to the flexibleprinted circuit board 390. Where the pressure transferred from theoutside disappears, the dome button 370 may recover its original domeshape.

For precise transfer of the pressure applied from the outside, the firstportion 351 of the waterproof structure 350 may be aligned with thecenter of the dome button 370.

The flexible printed circuit board 390 may be disposed outside the domebutton 370 in the receiving space 335 between the first face 331 andsecond face 332 of the supporting structure 330.

Here, the portion disposed outside the dome button may correspond to aportion of the flexible printed circuit board 390 and may be disposedbetween the dome button 370 and the second face 332 of the supportingstructure 330. The other than the portion of the flexible printedcircuit board 390 may be disposed on the space 25.

The flexible printed circuit board 390 may convert a pressuretransferred from the dome button 370 into an electrical signal,assisting in the user's desired function. According to an embodiment ofthe present invention, where the key 310 is pressed from the outside inthe first direction X, the first surface 315 may transfer the pressureto the dome button 370 while contacting the dome button 370. Thereafter,as the dome button 370 partially transforms in an elastic manner totransfer the pressure to the flexible printed circuit board 390, it mayproduce an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure and deliverthe electrical signal to the electronic device 10.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are a perspective view illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined and a perspective view illustratingillustrating a configuration combined with a key module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, the key module 400 may be disposed on a side surfaceof the portable electronic device 10 and may include a first key 410 a,a second key 410 b, a supporting structure (plate) 430, a firstwaterproof structure 450 a, and a second waterproof structure 450 b.

The key module 400 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10 to allow for entry of data information and transferof electrical signals into the electronic device 10 to obtain a user'sdesired information.

The instant embodiment represents an example of applying to, e.g.,volume keys, operated with two buttons, rather than such a configurationas of a power key which works with a single button of theabove-described embodiment.

This differs in that there are provided two keys, two waterproofstructures, and two relevant configurations; however, they remain thesame in size and shape. Thus, they are described briefly.

A key 410 may be positioned to be shaped and sized to be able to passthrough a space 25 between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 bthrough an opening 21 of the bezel 2. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the key 410 may include a key button 411 disposed onthe bezel 2 and a first surface 314 that is connected with the keybutton 411 and that may be moved in the space 25 along a first directionX. At least one step 415 may be formed between the key button 411 andthe first surface 415.

There may be provided two keys 410 each of which may be inserted intothe opening 21. The configuration of each key is the same as what hasbeen described above, and no detailed description thereof is thus given.

The key button 411 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10, allowing the user to easily click with theportable electronic device 10 in his hand.

The first surface 415 may be positioned perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the key button 411 and be inserted to the inside of theelectronic device 10 while moving along the direction of the insertion,i.e., the first direction X. There may be configured two first surfaces415.

The steps 413 may be provided to abut between the key button 411 and thefirst surface 415, including, at least, a plurality of steps on theouter surface, preventing the first surface 415 from escaping off theinside of the supporting structure 430 or waterproof structure 450.

The waterproof structure 430 is described below. The supportingstructure 430 may be disposed adjacent to two openings 21 of the bezel 2inside the space 25 formed between the front cover 10 a and the rearcover 10 b and may include receiving spaces able to at least partiallyreceive the keys 410 and fastening parts 436 that may be fastened to themain body.

The supporting structure 430 may include a first face 431 and a secondface 432 spaced apart in parallel with each other. A supporting flatsurface 433 may be provided in parallel with the rear cover 10 b insidethe space formed between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b.

The receiving space 435 may be formed between the first face 431 and thesecond face 432 to allow the dome button 470 and the flexible printedcircuit board 490 to be disposed therein, forming a uni-body bracketstructure where the parts may be mounted.

The first face 431 and the second face 432 may provide a pathway alongwhich the first surface 415 moves without contacting the opening 2(pathway leading to the opening).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first face 431may be formed with the same length as the second face 432 and mayinclude a plurality of holes 434(a) and 434(b) for receiving at leastpart of the first surface 415. That is, the holes 434 in the supportingstructure 430 may include a first hole 434(a) and a second hole 434(b)spaced apart from each other. The first hole 434(a) may provide a pathalong which an end of a first-first surface 415(a) of the first key410(a) may move, and the second hole 434(b) may provide a path alongwhich an end of a second-first surface 415(b) of the second key 410(b)may move. The key module 400 is configured with keys that are closelytied to each other as are volume keys that let volume up or down. Thus,the interval between the first hole 434(a) and the second hole 434(b)may be set within a range in which the user's finger is permitted tomove.

Referring back to FIGS. 16 and 17, the waterproof structure 450 may bedisposed between an inner surface of the bezel 2 and the first face 431or between the inner surface of the bezel 2 and the second face 432 tohermetically seal the space 25 formed between the front cover 10 a andthe rear cover 10 b from the outside of the electronic device 10.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproofstructure 450 may be inserted and disposed in a seating part 23 of thebezel 2 and may include at least one portion first portion 451 formed toelastically wrap around the first surface 415 of the key 410. Thewaterproof structure 450 may include a second portion 453 formed to wraparound the first portion 451 and disposed to abut a surface of the bezel2 to provide waterproof and anti-dust capability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there may beprovided two waterproof structures 450, including a first waterproofstructure 450(a) and a second waterproof structure 450(b) in positionscorresponding to the interval between the first hole 434(a) and thesecond hole 434(b).

If the first surface 415(a) of the first key 410(a) and the firstsurface 415(b) of the second key 410(b) are seated in the respectiveportions 451(a) and 451(b) of the keys and are inserted into theinternal space 25, the waterproof structures 450 may be formed toelastically surround the first surface 415 to prevent permeation of afluid or other foreign bodies into the inside of the electronic device10. The waterproof structures 450 may be formed of an elastic material.The first portions 451(a) and 451(b), when elastically stretched andcompressed and thus the keys 410 moving, may add or reduce pressure ontothe dome buttons 470.

In this embodiment of the present invention, although two keys areprovided in one supporting structure, the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, various modifications may be made, e.g., amodule having two or more keys inserted therein.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are a perspective view illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined and a perspective view illustratingillustrating a configuration combined with a key module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, the key module 500 may be disposed on a side surfaceof the portable electronic device 10 and may include a key 510, aplurality of supporting structures 530, a waterproof structure 550, adome button 570, a flexible printed circuit board 590, and a seatingpart 23.

The key module 500 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10 to allow for entry of data information and transferof electrical signals into the electronic device 10 to obtain a user'sdesired information.

The instant embodiment represents an example of applying to, e.g.,volume keys, operated with two buttons, rather than such a configurationas of a power key which works with a single button of theabove-described embodiment.

The key 510 and the waterproof structure 550 are the same as thosedescribed above in connection with the above embodiment and are thusbriefly described, with the supporting structures 530 and seating part23 described detailed.

The key 510 may be positioned to be shaped and sized to be able to passthrough a space 25 between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 bthrough an opening 21 of the bezel 2. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the key 510 may include a key button 511 disposed onthe bezel 2 and a first surface 515 that is connected with the keybutton 511 and that may be moved in the space 25 along a first directionX. At least one step 515 may be formed between the key button 511 andthe first surface 513.

Further, there may be provided two keys 510 each of which may beinserted into the opening 21.

The waterproof structure 550 may be disposed between an inner surface ofthe bezel 2 and the first supporting structure 531 or between the innersurface of the bezel 2 and the second supporting structure 535 tohermetically seal the space 25 formed between the front cover 10 a andthe rear cover 10 b from the outside of the electronic device 10.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproofstructure 550 may be inserted and disposed in a seating part 23 of thebezel 2 and may include at least one portion first portion 551 formed toelastically wrap around the first surface 515 of the key 510. Thewaterproof structure 550 may include a second portion 553 formed tosurround the periphery of the first portion 551 and disposed to abut asurface of the bezel 2 to provide waterproof and anti-dust capability.

The waterproof structures 550 may be formed of an elastic material. Thefirst portion 551, when elastically stretched and compressed and thusthe key 510 moving, may add or reduce pressure onto the dome buttons570.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state of afirst surface of a key moving in a first direction according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Of the key module configuration, another supporting structure 530 isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 18, 19, 20A, and 20B.

The supporting structure 530 may be positioned adjacent the opening 21of the bezel 2 in the space 25 formed between the front cover 10 a andthe rear cover 10 b. For example, the supporting structure 530 may bedisposed to be seated in the seating part extending from the bezel 2 andmay include a receiving space 538 to be able to receive at least part ofthe key 510.

The supporting structures 530 may include a first supporting structure531 and a second supporting structure 535, the first ends of which arebrought in tight contact with each other, and the second ends beingpositioned in parallel with each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the firstsupporting structure 530 may include a hole 534 for receiving at leastpart of the first surface 515 of the key 510. One surface of the firstsupporting structure 531 may include a first supporting surface 532where the waterproof structure 550 is seated, and the hole 534 may bedisposed to be included in the first supporting surface 532. When thewaterproof structure 550 is seated on the first supporting surface 532,the hole-shaped first portion 551 of the waterproof structure 550 may befastened to the hole 534 of the first supporting structure 531.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adhesivematerial 539 may be disposed between the waterproof structure 530 andthe first supporting surface 532 to reinforce the fastening. Forexample, the adhesive material 539 may include a tape or a chemical,such as an adhesive.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first protrusion533 corresponding in shape to the edge of the seating part 23 may beprovided at an outside of the first supporting structure 531 to preventthe second supporting structure 535 from escaping off while allowing itto be fastened and seated in the seating part 23.

The first protrusion 533 may be disposed at each of both edges of thefirst supporting structure 531 and may be provided in a curved shapebent inwards. The first protrusions 533 may be formed with an intervaltherebetween to form a receiving space 538 while allowing the secondsupporting structure 535 to be disposed in the space thereinside.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondsupporting structure 535 may include a second supporting surface 536capable of receiving and supporting the dome switch 570 and the printedcircuit board 590 and at least one second protrusion 537 capable ofoverall pushing the first supporting structure 531.

The second supporting structure 535 may be disposed at a side of theseating part 25 and may be positioned opposite the first supportingstructure 531 disposed at the opposite side of the seating part 25. Forexample, the first supporting structure 531 and the second supportingstructure 535 may be disposed opposite and parallel with each other atthe edge of the seating part 25 with an elliptical hole.

The second supporting structure 535 may include a second supportingsurface 536 apart in parallel with the first supporting surface 532, andthe second supporting surface 536 may allow various parts to be mountedand supported. The flexible printed circuit board 590 may be disposed incontact with the second supporting surface 536, and the dome switch 570may be disposed in contact with the printed circuit board 590 tosequentially transfer pressure coming from the key.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondprotrusions 537 may be disposed at both side edges of the secondsupporting structure 535 and provided in curved shapes bent inwards. Thesecond protrusions 537 may be disposed at the center of the secondsupporting structure 535 and provided in curved shapes bent inwardly.

The second protrusions 535 may be disposed in tight contact with thefirst supporting structure 531, providing a force to push the firstsupporting structure 531 outwards (in the direction where the key 510 isdisposed or towards the bezel 2). The pushing force may push the firstsupporting structure 531 to the side surface of the seating part 23 andcompress the waterproof structure 550 disposed between the bezel 2 andthe first supporting structure 531. The compressed, elastic waterproofstructure 550 may reinforce the effect of preventing permeation of afluid from the outside.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the firstsupporting structure 531 and the second supporting structure 535 spacedapart in parallel with each other may form the receiving space 538. Thefirst supporting structure 531 and the second supporting structure 535may provide a path along which the first surface 515 moves withoutcontacting the opening 21.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the firstsupporting structure 531 may be configured to be relatively larger thanthe second supporting structure 535, and the second protrusion 537 maybe disposed while pushing the first supporting structure 531. Accordingto the present invention, although two second protrusions 537 aredisposed at both sides, with one second protrusion under the center in acurved shape, the present invention is not limited thereto, and variousshapes and numbers of second protrusions may be provided which are ableto form the receiving space 538 while pushing the first supportingstructure 531 to compress the waterproof structure 550.

Returning to FIG. 18, the seating part 23 may be configured to extendfrom the bezel 2 of the electronic device 10, forming the receivingspace 538 (refer to FIG. 20) for receiving the supporting structure 530.For example, if the first supporting structure 531 and the secondsupporting structure 535 form the outer surface of the receiving space538, the seating part 23 may form a lower portion of the receiving space538.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seating part 23may be configured of an elliptical hole and have an opening forreceiving at least part of the first surface 515 of the key 510. Theseating part 23 may be configured of the same material as the bezel 2and extend therefrom. The supporting structures 530 may be fastened bytheir mutual tension inside the seating part 23 with a predeterminedshape, eliminating the need for producing separate coupling parts and anadditional assembling and hence simplifying the process.

For example, different from the above-described embodiment, they may befastened to the electronic device 10 with the configuration of theseating part 23 shaped corresponding to the outer surface of thesupporting structures 530 extending from the bezel 2 and theconfiguration of the first supporting structure 531 and the secondsupporting structure 535 mutually fastened in the seating part 23 butwithout the configuration of the fastening part 336 (refer to FIG. 4).Further, at least one second protrusion 537 of the second supportingstructure 535 may push out the first supporting structure 531 tocompress the elastic waterproof structure 550 without rolling upexternally, thereby increasing the overlapping area of the waterproofstructure 550 with the result of maximized waterproof capability.

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which thefirst surface 515 is seated in the first portion 551 of the waterproofstructure 550 before the key 510 moves, and

FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which thefirst surface 515 applies pressure to the first portion 551 of thewaterproof structure 550 as the key 510 moves along the first directionX.

As the key 510 operates from the position shown in FIG. 20A to theposition shown in FIG. 20B, the first portion 551 of the waterproofstructure 550 which is formed of an elastic member may be stretchedalong the first direction X to deliver the pressure from the firstsurface 515 to the dome button 570.

The flexible printed circuit board 590 and the dome button 570 disposedin the receiving space 538 inside the supporting structure 530 isdescribed below.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the dome button 570 may be disposedbetween the first supporting structure 531 and the second supportingstructure 535.

The dome button 570 may include an elastic material and may transferpress applied from the outside to the flexible printed circuit board590. According to an embodiment of the present invention, where the key510 is pressed from the outside in the first direction X, the firstsurface 515 may transfer the pressure to the dome button 570 whilecontacting the dome button 570, and as part of the dome button 370elastically transforms, it may deliver the pressure to the flexibleprinted circuit board 590. Where the pressure transferred from theoutside disappears, the dome button 570 may recover its original domeshape.

For precise transfer of the pressure applied from the outside, the firstportion 551 of the waterproof structure 550 may be aligned with thecenter of the dome button 570.

The flexible printed circuit board 590 may be disposed outside the domebutton 570 disposed on the second supporting surface 536 between thefirst supporting structure 531 and the second supporting structure 535.

Here, the portion disposed outside the dome button 570 may correspond toa portion of the flexible printed circuit board 590, and the other thanthe portion of the flexible printed circuit board 590 may be disposed onthe space 25.

The flexible printed circuit board 590 may convert a pressuretransferred from the dome button 570 into an electrical signal,assisting in the user's desired function. According to an embodiment ofthe present invention, where the key 510 is pressed from the outside inthe first direction X, the first surface 515 may transfer the pressureto the dome button 570 while contacting the dome button 370. Thereafter,as the dome button 570 partially transforms in an elastic manner totransfer the pressure to the flexible printed circuit board 590, it mayproduce an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure and deliverthe electrical signal to the electronic device 10.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are a perspective view illustrating a configurationbefore a key module is combined and a perspective view illustratingillustrating a configuration combined with a key module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, the key module 600 may be disposed on a side surfaceof the portable electronic device 10 and may include a first key 610 a,a second key 610 b, a plurality of supporting structures (plate) 630, afirst waterproof structure 650 a, and a second waterproof structure 650b.

The key module 600 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10 to allow for entry of data information and transferof electrical signals into the electronic device 10 to obtain a user'sdesired information.

The instant embodiment represents an example of applying to, e.g.,volume keys, operated with two buttons, rather than such a configurationas of a power key which works with a single button of theabove-described embodiment.

This differs in that there are provided two keys, two waterproofstructures, and two relevant configurations; however, they remain thesame in size and shape. Thus, they are described briefly.

The key 610 may be positioned to be shaped and sized to be able to passthrough a space 25 between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 bthrough an opening 21 of the bezel 2. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the key 610 may include a key button 611 disposed onthe bezel 2 and a first surface 615 that is connected with the keybutton 611 and that may be moved in the space 25 along a first directionX. At least one step 615 may be formed between the key button 611 andthe first surface 615.

There may be provided two keys 610 each of which may be inserted intothe opening 21. The configuration of each key is the same as what hasbeen described above, and no detailed description thereof is thus given.

The key button 611 may be disposed on the side surface of the portableelectronic device 10, allowing the user to easily click with theportable electronic device 10 in his hand.

The first surface 615 may be positioned perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the key button 611 and be inserted to the inside of theelectronic device 10 while moving along the direction of the insertion,i.e., the first direction X. There may be configured two first surfaces615.

The steps 613 may be provided to abut between the key button 611 and thefirst surface 615, including, at least, a plurality of steps on theouter surface, preventing the first surface 615 from escaping off theinside of the supporting structure 630 or waterproof structure 650.

The waterproof structure 630 is described below. The supportingstructure 630 may be disposed adjacent to two openings 21 of the bezel 2inside the space 25 formed between the front cover 10 a and the rearcover 10 b and may include receiving spaces 638 able to at leastpartially receive the keys 610 and protrusions that may be stronglyfastened to the seating part 23.

The supporting structures 630 may include a first supporting structure631 and a second supporting structure 635, the first ends of which arebrought in tight contact with each other, and the second ends beingpositioned in parallel with each other.

The receiving space 638 may be formed between the first supportingstructure 631 and the second supporting structure 635 to allow the domebutton 670 and the flexible printed circuit board 690 to be disposedtherein, forming a uni-body bracket structure where the parts may bemounted.

The first supporting structure 631 and the second supporting structure635 may provide a pathway along which the first surface 415 moveswithout contacting the opening 2 (pathway leading to the opening).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the firstsupporting structure 631 and the second supporting structure 635 mayinclude a plurality of holes 634(a) and 634(b) able to at leastpartially receive the first surfaces 615(a) and 615(b). That is, theholes 634 in the supporting structure 630 may include a first hole634(a) and a second hole 634(b) spaced apart from each other. The firsthole 634(a) may provide a path along which an end of a first surface615(a) of the first key 610(a) may move, and the second hole 634(b) mayprovide a path along which an end of a second surface 615(b) of thesecond key 610(b) may move. The key module 600 is configured with keysthat are closely tied to each other as are volume keys that let volumeup or down. Thus, the interval between the first hole 634(a) and thesecond hole 634(b) may be set within a range in which the user's fingeris permitted to move.

Referring back to FIGS. 21 and 22, the waterproof structure 650 may bedisposed between an inner surface of the bezel 2 and the firstsupporting structure 631 or between the inner surface of the bezel 2 andthe second supporting structure 635 to hermetically seat the space 25formed between the front cover 10 a and the rear cover 10 b from theoutside of the electronic device 10.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproofstructure 650 may be inserted and disposed in a seating part 23 of thebezel 2 and may include at least one portion first portion 651 formed toelastically wrap around the first surface 615 of the key 610. Thewaterproof structure 650 may include a second portion 653 formed tosurround the periphery of the first portion 651 and disposed to abut asurface of the bezel 2 to provide waterproof and anti-dust capability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there may beprovided two waterproof structures 650, including a first waterproofstructure 650(a) and a second waterproof structure 650(b) in positionscorresponding to the interval between the first hole 634(a) and thesecond hole 634(b).

If the first surface 615(a) of the first key 610(a) and the firstsurface 615(b) of the second key 610(b) are seated in the respectiveportions 651(a) and 651(b) of the keys and are inserted into theinternal space 25, the waterproof structures 650 may be formed toelastically surround the first surface 615 to prevent permeation of afluid or other foreign bodies into the inside of the electronic device10. The waterproof structures 650 may be formed of an elastic material.The first portions 651(a) and 651(b), when elastically stretched andcompressed and thus the keys 610 moving, may add or reduce pressure ontothe dome buttons 670.

In this embodiment of the present invention, although two keys areprovided in one supporting structure, the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, various modifications may be made, e.g., amodule having two or more keys inserted therein.

Now described is a method for manufacturing a key module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a keymodule provided in an electronic device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 24A-24G and 25A-25G are views sequentially illustrating a methodfor manufacturing a key module provided in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, 23, and 24, a supporting structure 330including a hole 334 is prepared (FIG. 24A). A waterproof structure 350with at least one first portion 351 may be disposed in the supportingstructure 330 (step 11, FIG. 24B). Since the waterproof structure 350 isformed of an elastic material, one surface of the waterproof structure350 may elastically be seated on a surrounding portion of the hole 334of the supporting structure 330. The other surface of the waterproofstructure 350 is disposed so that the first portion 351 where the firstsurface 315 may be seated and the second portion 353 abutting the mainbody are seen. The first portion 351 may elastically be stretched orcompressed as the first surface 315 of the key 310 is moved, providing abetter click feeling when the user presses the key 310. The secondportion 353 may form a contact surface 355 while abutting the inside ofthe main body, blocking a fluid permeating from the outside.

Thereafter, a flexible printed circuit board 390 having a dome button370 seated thereon may be placed in the receiving space 335 formedinside the supporting structure 330 (step 13, FIG. 24C). The flexibleprinted circuit board 390 may be disposed abutting the inner surface ofthe receiving space 335 of the supporting structure 330, and the domebutton 370 may be disposed on the flexible printed circuit board 390.The dome button 370 may be formed of an elastic material, receivingpressure applied from the outside to the key 310 from the first surface315 and transferring the pressure to the printed circuit board 390.

The step of seating the supporting structure 330 where the waterproofstructure 350, the dome button 370, and the flexible printed circuitboard 390 are arranged in the seating part 23 of the main body may becarried out (step 15, FIG. 24D). The seating part 23 which is shaped asa hole corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the supportingstructure 330 may be configured inside the main body, able toshakelessly support the supporting structure 330 when the supportingstructure 330 is seated.

The supporting structure 330 and the main body may be fastened togetherby a fastening part 336 disposed on a side surface of the supportingstructure 330 (step 17, FIG. 24E). The fastening part 336 may beprovided in a wing shape outside the receiving space 335 of thesupporting structure 330 and include a hole-shaped fastening hole 3361and a screw 3363 passing through the fastening hole 3361 to fasten themain body with the supporting structure 330. The screw 3363 and thefastening hole 3361 may fasten the main body with the supportingstructure 330 via a male-female coupling between the screw 3363 and thefastening hole 3361. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, although two fastening holes 3361 and two screws 3363 areconfigured, they are not limited thereto. Rather, it is apparent thatvarious numbers of fastening holes and screws may be provided in avariety of positions to fasten the supporting structure 330 to theinside of the main body, and such fastening may be achieved in othervarious manners, e.g., by way of snap-fits, rivets, or bonding, otherthan screwing.

Thereafter, the key 310 may partially be inserted to the inside of themain body from the outside (step 19, FIG. 24F). According to anembodiment of the present invention, the first surface 315 of the key310 may be inserted into the first portion 351 of the waterproofstructure 350 disposed inside the main body, and the steps of the key310 may be fastened to side coupling parts 24 formed in the main bodybezel 2. The key button part 311 of the key 310 may partially project tothe outside of the main body, allowing the user to click thereon withhis finger. Here, the steps of the key 310 may be fastened to the mainbody in a third direction Z different from the first direction X alongwhich the first surface 315 is inserted, preventing the key 310 fromescaping off. This also enables pressure to be transferred to the domebutton 370 whatever portion of the key button part 311 is pressed.

The key module 300 may be seated precisely in place by the manufacturingmethod set forth above (FIG. 24G).

FIGS. 23 and 25A-25G are views sequentially illustrating a method formanufacturing a key module 400 provided in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 16, 17, 23, and 25, supporting structures 430including two holes 434(a) and 434(b) are prepared (FIG. 25A). Twowaterproof structures 450(a) and 450(b) with at least one first portion451 may be disposed in their respective supporting structures 430 (step11, FIG. 25B). Since the waterproof structures 450 are formed of anelastic material, first surfaces of the waterproof structures 350 mayelastically be seated on surrounding portions of the holes 434(a) and434(b) of the supporting structures 430. The other surfaces of thewaterproof structures 450 are disposed so that the first portions 451(a)and 451(b) where the first surfaces 415(a) and 415(b) of the key 410 maybe seated and the second portion 453 abutting the main body are seen.The first portion 451 may elastically be stretched or compressed as thefirst surface 415 of the key 410 is moved, providing a better clickfeeling when the user presses the key 310. The second portion 453 mayform a contact surface 455 while abutting the inside of the main body,blocking a fluid permeating from the outside.

Thereafter, a flexible printed circuit board 490 having a dome button470 seated thereon may be placed in the receiving space 435 formedinside the supporting structure 430 (step 13, FIG. 25C). The flexibleprinted circuit board 490 may be disposed abutting the inner surface ofthe receiving space 435 of the supporting structure 430, and the domebutton 470 may be disposed on the flexible printed circuit board 490.The dome button 470 may be formed of an elastic material, receivingpressure applied from the outside to the key 410 from the first surface415 and transferring the pressure to the printed circuit board 490.

The step of seating the supporting structure 430 where the twowaterproof structures 450(a) and 450(b), the dome button 470, and theflexible printed circuit board 490 are arranged in the seating part 23of the main body may be carried out (step 15, FIG. 25D). The seatingpart 23 which is shaped as a hole corresponding to the shape of theouter surface of the supporting structure 430 may be configured insidethe main body, able to shakelessly support the supporting structure 430when the supporting structure 330 is seated.

The supporting structure 430 and the main body may be fastened togetherby a fastening part 430 disposed on a side surface of the supportingstructure 436 (step 17, FIG. 25E). The fastening part 436 may beprovided in a wing shape outside the receiving space 435 of thesupporting structure 430 and include a hole-shaped fastening hole 4361and a screw 4363 passing through the fastening hole 4361 to fasten themain body with the supporting structure 430. The screw 4363 and thefastening hole 4361 may fasten the main body with the supportingstructure 430 via a male-female coupling between the screw 3363 and thefastening hole 3361. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, although two fastening holes 4361 and two screws 4363 areconfigured, they are not limited thereto. Rather, it is apparent thatvarious numbers of fastening holes and screws may be provided in avariety of positions to fasten the supporting structure 430 to theinside of the main body, and such fastening may be achieved in othervarious manners, e.g., by way of snap-fits, rivets, or bonding, otherthan screwing.

Thereafter, the two keys 410 may partially be inserted to the inside ofthe main body from the outside (step 19, FIG. 25F). According to anembodiment of the present invention, the first surfaces 415(a) and415(b) of the keys 410(a) and 410(b) may be inserted into the firstportions 451(a) and 451(b) of the waterproof structures 450(a) and450(b) disposed inside the main body, and the steps of the keys 410 maybe fastened to side coupling parts 24 formed in the main body bezel 2.The key button part 411 of the key 410 may partially project to theoutside of the main body, allowing the user to click thereon with hisfinger. Here, the steps of the key 410 may be fastened to the main bodyin a third direction Z different from the first direction X along whichthe first surface 415 is inserted, preventing the key 410 from escapingoff. This also enables pressure to be transferred to the dome button 470whatever portion of the key button part 411 is pressed.

The key module 400 may be seated precisely in place by the manufacturingmethod set forth above (FIG. 25G).

Now described is a method for manufacturing a key module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a keymodule provided in an electronic device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 27A-27H and 28A-28G are views illustrating a method formanufacturing a key module provided in an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27A-27H, a first supporting structure 531including at least one hole 534 is prepared (FIG. 27A). A waterproofstructure 550 with at least one first portion 551 may be disposed in thefirst supporting structure 531 (step 21, FIG. 27B). For example, thewaterproof structure 550 may be formed of an elastic material. A secondportion 553 corresponding to one surface of the waterproof structure 550may elastically be seated in a first supporting surface 532 including ahole 534 of the first supporting structure 531. The other surface of thewaterproof structure 550 may include the first portion 551 where thefirst surface 515 of the key 510 may be seated and the second portion553 abutting the main body.

The first portion 551 of the waterproof structure 550 may elastically bestretched or compressed as the first surface 515 of the key 510 ismoved, providing a better click feeling when the user presses the key510. The second portion 553 may form a contact surface while abuttingthe inside of the main body, blocking a fluid permeating from theoutside.

As a next step, a second supporting structure 535 and a flexible printedcircuit board 590 where a dome button 570 is seated are prepared (FIG.27C). A step for placing the dome button (570)-seated flexible printedcircuit board 590 on one surface of the second supporting structure 535may be performed (step 23, FIG. 27D). The flexible printed circuit board590 may be disposed to abut a second supporting surface 536 which is aninner surface of the second supporting structure 535, and the domebutton 570 may be disposed on the flexible printed circuit board 590.The dome button 570 may be formed of an elastic material, receivingpressure applied from the outside to the key 510 from the first surface515 and transferring the pressure to the printed circuit board 590.

The step of seating the first supporting structure 531 where thewaterproof structure 550 is disposed and the second supporting structure530 where the dome button 570 and the flexible printed circuit board 590are arranged in the seating part 23 of the main body may be carried out(step 25, FIG. 27E). The seating part 23 which is shaped as a holecorresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the first supportingstructure 531 and the second supporting structure 535 may be configuredinside the main body, able to shakelessly support the supportingstructures 530 when the supporting structures 530 are seated (FIG. 27F).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first protrusion533 corresponding in shape to the edge of the seating part 23 may beprovided at an outside of the first supporting structure 531 to preventthe second supporting structure 535 from escaping off while allowing itto be fastened and seated in the seating part 23.

The first protrusion 533 may be disposed at each of both edges of thefirst supporting structure 531 and may be provided in a curved shapebent inwards. The first protrusions 533 may be formed with an intervaltherebetween to allow the second supporting structure 535 to be disposedin the space inside the first protrusions 533.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adhesivematerial (not shown) may be disposed between the first supportingstructure 531 and the waterproof structure 550. The adhesive materialmay reinforce the coupling between the first supporting structure 531and the waterproof structure 550 and enhance waterproof capability. Theadhesive material may include various materials, e.g., an acrylic-basedchemical-containing tape or a diversity of adhesives, or other variousmaterials capable of attaching the waterproof structure 550 or firstsupporting structure 531.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the firstsupporting structure 531 is vertically disposed at a side of the seatingpart 23, the second supporting structure 535 may be disposed at theopposite side of the seating part 23 to face the first supportingstructure 531. For example, the first supporting structure 531 and thesecond supporting structure 535 may be disposed opposite and parallelwith each other at the edge of the seating part 23 with an ellipticalhole.

Where the first supporting structure 531 is seated on the seating part23, a predetermined gap from the seating part 23 may be produced,allowing the waterproof structure 550 to be disposed without beingpushed and allowing the second supporting structure 535 to be seatedwhile pushing the first supporting structure 531 to the outside of themain body, thereby providing a waterproof contacting surface needed tobe sealed off.

The second supporting structure 535 may include a second supportingsurface 536 apart in parallel with the first supporting structure 531,and the second supporting surface 536 may allow various parts to bemounted and supported. The flexible printed circuit board 590 may bedisposed in contact with the second supporting surface 536, and the domeswitch 570 may be disposed in contact with the printed circuit board 590to transfer pressure coming from the key.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondprotrusions 537 may be disposed at both side edges of the secondsupporting structure 535 and provided in curved shapes bent inwards. Thesecond protrusions 537 may be disposed at the center of the secondsupporting structure 535 and provided in curved shapes bent inwardly.

The second protrusions 537 may be disposed in tight contact with thefirst supporting structure 531, providing a force to push the firstsupporting structure 531 outwards (in the direction where the key 510 isdisposed or towards the bezel 2). The pushing force may push the firstsupporting structure 531 to the side surface of the seating part 23 andcompress the waterproof structure 550 disposed between the bezel 2 andthe first supporting structure 531. The compressed waterproof structure550 may reinforce the effect of preventing permeation of a fluid fromthe outside.

After the first supporting structure 531 and the second supportingstructure 535 are combined and seated in the seating part 23, the key510 may partially be inserted from the outside ton the inside of themain body (step 27, FIG. 27G).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first surface515 of the key 510 may be inserted into the first portion 551 of thewaterproof structure 550 disposed inside the main body, and the steps ofthe key 510 may be fastened to side coupling parts formed in the mainbody bezel 2. The key button part 611 of the key 510 may partiallyproject to the outside of the main body, allowing the user to clickthereon with his finger. Here, the steps of the key 510 may be fastenedto the main body in a third direction Z different from the firstdirection X along which the first surface 515 is inserted, preventingthe key 510 from escaping off. This also enables pressure to betransferred to the dome button 570 whatever portion of the key buttonpart 511 is pressed.

The key module 500 may be seated precisely in place by the manufacturingmethod set forth above (FIG. 27H).

FIGS. 26 and 28A-28G are views illustrating in order a method formanufacturing a key module provided in an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 28A-28G, a first supporting structure 631including two holes 634(a) and 634(b) are prepared (FIG. 28A). Twowaterproof structures 650(a) and 650(b) with at least one first portion651 may be disposed in the first supporting structure 631 (step 21, FIG.28B). Since the waterproof structures 650 are formed of an elasticmaterial, first surfaces of the waterproof structures 650 mayelastically be seated on the first supporting surfaces 632 including theholes 634 of the first supporting structure 631. The other surfaces ofthe waterproof structures 650 are disposed so that the first portions651(a) and 451(b) where the first surfaces 615(a) and 415(b) of the key610 may be seated and the second portion 653 abutting the main body areseen. The first portion 651 may elastically be stretched or compressedas the first surface 615 of the key 610 is moved, providing a betterclick feeling when the user presses the key 610. The second portion 653may form a contact surface while abutting the inside of the main body,blocking a fluid permeating from the outside.

As a next step, a second supporting structure 635 and a flexible printedcircuit board 690 where two dome buttons 670 are seated are prepared(FIG. 28C). A flexible printed circuit board 690 where the two domebuttons 670 are seated may be placed on the second surface 636 of thesecond supporting structure 635 (step 23, FIG. 28D). The flexibleprinted circuit board 690 may be disposed to abut a second supportingsurface 636 of the second supporting structure 635, and the dome button670 may be disposed on the flexible printed circuit board 690. The domebutton 670 may be formed of an elastic material, receiving pressureapplied from the outside to the key 610 from the first surface 615 andtransferring the pressure to the printed circuit board 690.

The step of seating the first supporting structure 631 where the twowaterproof structures 650(a) and 650(b) are disposed and the secondsupporting structure 635 where the two dome buttons 670 and the flexibleprinted circuit board 690 are arranged in the seating part 23 of themain body may be carried out (step 25, FIG. 28E). The seating part 23which is shaped as a hole corresponding to the shape of the outersurface of the supporting structure 630 may be configured inside themain body, able to shakelessly support the supporting structures 630when the supporting structures 530 are seated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the firstsupporting structure 631 is vertically disposed at a side of the seatingpart 23, the second supporting structure 635 may be disposed at theopposite side of the seating part 23 to face the first supportingstructure 631. For example, the first supporting structure 631 and thesecond supporting structure 635 may be disposed opposite and parallelwith each other at the edge of the seating part 23 with an ellipticalhole.

Where the first supporting structure 631 is seated on the seating part23, a predetermined gap from the seating part 23 may be produced,allowing the waterproof structure 650 to be disposed without beingpushed and allowing the second supporting structure 635 to be seatedwhile pushing the first supporting structure 631 to the outside of themain body, thereby providing a waterproof contacting surface needed tobe sealed off.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondprotrusions 637 may be disposed at both side edges of the secondsupporting structure 635 and provided in curved shapes bent inwards. Thesecond protrusions 637 may be disposed at the center of the secondsupporting structure 635 and provided in curved shapes bent inwardly.

The second protrusions 637 may be disposed in tight contact with thefirst supporting structure 631, providing a force to push the firstsupporting structure 631 outwards (in the direction where the key 610 isdisposed or towards the bezel 2). The pushing force may push the firstsupporting structure 631 to the side surface of the seating part 23 andcompress the waterproof structure 650 disposed between the bezel 2 andthe first supporting structure 631. The compressed waterproof structure650 may reinforce the effect of preventing permeation of a fluid fromthe outside.

After the first supporting structure 531 and the second supportingstructure 535 are combined and seated in the seating part 23, the twokeys 610(a) and 610(b) may partially be inserted from the outside tonthe inside of the main body (step 27, FIG. 28F).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the respectivefirst surfaces 615(a) and 615(b) of the keys 610(a) and 610(b) may beinserted into the first portions 651(a) and 651(b) of the waterproofstructures 650(a) and 650(b) disposed inside the main body, and thesteps of the keys 610 may be fastened to side coupling parts formed inthe main body bezel 2. The key button part 611 of the key 610 maypartially project to the outside of the main body, allowing the user toclick thereon with his finger. Here, the steps of the key 610 may befastened to the main body in a third direction Z different from thefirst direction X along which the first surface 615 is inserted,preventing the key 610 from escaping off. This also enables pressure tobe transferred to the dome button 670 whatever portion of the key buttonpart 611 is pressed.

The key module 600 may be seated precisely in place by the manufacturingmethod set forth above (FIG. 28G).

It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the key modulesaccording to various embodiments of the present invention as describedabove are not limited to the above-described embodiments and those shownin the drawings, and various changes, modifications, or alterations maybe made thereto without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a front glass cover forminga front surface of the electronic device; a rear cover forming a rearsurface of the electronic device; a bezel surrounding a space formedbetween the front cover and the rear cover, formed integrally orseparately from the rear cover, and including a portion having anopening; a display device embedded in the space and including a viewarea exposed through the front cover; and a plate including a flatsurface positioned parallel to the front cover in the space, wherein theopening penetrates from an outside of the bezel to the space in a firstdirection, wherein the electronic device comprises a key sized andshaped to be able to pass through the opening and including a firstsurface movably inserted into the opening in the first direction andfacing in the first direction, a supporting structure mounted in aportion of the plate or the bezel and including a hole through which thekey passes, a dome button mounted in the supporting structure anddisposed towards the first surface of the key and the hole to be pressedwhen the key moves in the first direction, and a waterproof structureincluding a flexible material, and wherein the waterproof structureincludes a first portion positioned between the first surface of the keyand the dome button and a second portion extending from the firstportion to be inserted between the supporting structure and the bezeland seal to waterproof the space between the supporting structure andthe bezel.
 2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein thefirst portion includes a hole configured to receive a portion of thekey.
 3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein, as viewedfrom above the plate, the portion including the opening furtherprojecting to an inside of the space than do other portions of thebezel.
 4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein thewaterproof structure is formed to elastically surround the first surfaceto block a fluid that permeates into an inside of the electronic device.5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the dome buttonelastically transforms when the key is moved in the first direction bypressure applied from an outside.
 6. The portable electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising a flexible printed circuit board disposedadjacent the dome button and configured to generate an electrical signalcorresponding to pressure applied as the dome button transforms.
 7. Theportable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the key includes a keybutton disposed on an outer surface of the main body and at least onestep disposed between the key button and the first surface to preventthe key inserted in the supporting structure from escaping off.
 8. Theportable electronic device of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of thefront cover has a curved surface with a convex surface outwards, andwherein part of, at least, the key and the supporting structure isdisposed inside the curved surface with the convex surface.
 9. Theportable electronic device of claim 1, wherein a first face of thesupporting structure allows the waterproof structure to be seatedthereon, and a second face of the supporting structure is disposedparallel with the first face, and wherein a receiving space is providedbetween the first face and the second face to seat and support the domebutton and a flexible printed circuit board.
 10. The portable electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure includes a firstsupporting structure including a hole where the waterproof structure maybe seated and a second supporting structure having a surface parallelwith the first supporting structure and at least one protrusion disposedtowards the bezel and facing the first supporting structure.
 11. Theportable electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a seatingpart extending from the bezel of the electronic device and having aspace where the first supporting structure and the second supportingstructure are seated to support the first supporting structure and thesecond supporting structure.
 12. The portable electronic device of claim7, wherein the step includes a first step and a second step spaced apartfrom each other at both sides of the first surface, and wherein thefirst step and the second step each are fastened to an inside of themain body in a third direction different from the first direction.
 13. Amethod for manufacturing a portable electronic device, the methodcomprising: disposing a waterproof structure having at least one hole ina hole formed in one surface of a supporting structure; disposing a domebutton part seated-flexible printed circuit board in an inside receivingspace of the supporting structure; seating the waterproof structure andthe flexible printed circuit board-disposed supporting structure in aseating part of a bezel; coupling to a main body through a fasteningpart disposed on a side surface of the supporting structure; andinserting a key having at least one first surface from an outside to aninside of the main body.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein ininserting the key having the at least one first surface from the outsideto the inside of the bezel, the first surface is partially inserted intothe hole of the waterproof structure.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein in disposing the waterproof structure having the at least onehole in the hole formed in the surface of the supporting structure, asecond portion of the waterproof structure forms a waterproof contactingsurface while abutting an inside of the bezel.